In cooperation with East Hanover, Florham Park, Morris Plains Parsippany-Troy Hills and Morristown, Hanover spearheaded the creation of a “Whippany-Passaic Rivers’ Flood Mitigation Task Force”. As a result of a $1,500,000.00 Federal grant, to be administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), phase one of a multi-year, multi-phase project will concentrate on clearing, de-snagging and stabilizing portions of the Whippany River, Smith Ditch, Pinch Brook and Black Brook. The purpose of the project is to better convey stormwater flows which currently inundate the region during small to mid-sized storms by performing necessary stream corridor maintenance. Hanover Township will serve as the Lead Agency in coordinating and overseeing the project on behalf of the five other municipalities under a Shared Services Agreement.

The Flood Mitigation Task Force has held several meetings with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill who was instrumental in obtaining the Federal grant, the Mayors of the six participating communities, and their professional engineers, in mapping out an action-oriented plan. The most recent meeting was held on May 2, 2023 at the Hanover Municipal Building. Colliers Engineers & Design will be designated as the Task Force’s professional engineering firm to implement the scope of services. On March 30, 2023, Colliers conducted a preliminary site meeting with the USDA to assess field conditions in order to develop the Phase 1 plan to first clear and de-snag the major blockages. In June and July, Colliers will perform a detailed drone survey of the project area followed by the development of plans and specifications so that the project may go to competitive bidding in July or August with the actual work beginning in October, 2023.

                                                                                                              Mayor Joseph Pannullo, East Hanover
                                                                                                              Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, Hanover
                                                                                                              Mayor Mark Taylor, Florham Park
                                                                                                              Mayor Jason Karr, Morris Plains
                                                                                                              Mayor James Barberio, Parsippany-Troy Hills
                                                                                                              Mayor Timothy Dougherty, Morristown

View Official Notice Here